A delegation of experts from China's leading home appliance enterprises gathered in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province on Monday, to discuss two new technical standards set up by foreign importers.

Entrusted by China WTO/TBT (Technical Barrier to Trade) National Notification Authority & Enquiring Point, the delegation will submit a report on two TBT notifications recently released by Israeli air conditioner and Thailand refrigerator importers, respectively.

Ma Nan, from the Technology Center of Zhejiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine, is in charge of the group discussion on the Israeli TBT notification, which requires air conditioner makers to put marks on their products indicating energy demand, utilization ratio and specific categories.

Ma said his group will judge whether the new requirements conform to WTO principles and evaluate their influences on the export of homemade air conditioners.

According to WTO/TBT Notification regulations, WTO members must submit notifications to TBT before they set up technical regulations and standards. Other member countries are entitled to table a corresponding proposal within 60 days to report the impact of these regulations and standards on their export.

China is to submit the report before October 26. Cui Lu, an expert with China WTO/TBT Organization, said that technical regulations and product standards vary from country to country. The number of regulations and standards grow rapidly in recent years. Statistics show that TBT issues around 800 notifications annually.

China is subject to foreign technical barriers. Over the past few years, Guangzhou alone suffered a loss up to US$600 million in export caused by TBT. The mechanical and electrical industries registered the biggest losses.

Chen Shuxin, deputy director of Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, said that after China's entry into the WTO, the country can take advantage of the notification system to avoid loss in exports caused by TBT.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005)